Legal Updates

Franchisors will face disclosure requirements under the comprehensive reforms to the Franchising Code of Conduct announced by Small Business Minister Dr Craig Emerson. The proposed amendments will result in expanded disclosure requirements for the franchisor and will address the following five areas of problematic franchising behaviour considered by an expert panel convened by the government: unilateral contract variation; unforeseen capital … [Read more...] about Franchising Update: Franchising reforms expand franchisor disclosure obligations – March 2010

The Commonwealth Government’s new grants program Commercialisation Australia which came into effect on 1 January 2013, provides new opportunities for innovators, businesses and researches to receive financial assistance to support and protect their intellectual property development and commercialisation. Under the program, companies or individuals can access between $250,000 to $2 million in repayable grants [read more]. … [Read more...] about Intellectual Property Update: New Government Grants Support Innovators of Intellectual Property – February 2010

Under the Australian Consumer Reforms, the Trade Practices Act 1974 is being replaced by the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. Businesses must review and update their trade practices compliance procedures and manuals, existing contracts, warranties and guarantees to ensure compliance with the new regime. The Competition and Consumer Act involves a substantial restructure of the Trade Practices Act and includes various new provisions. In … [Read more...] about Trade Practices Update: Franchising Code of Conduct and Unconscionable Conduct Review – December 2009

ndustry codes play an important role in the regulation of business practices by setting standards of conduct for industry members, the consequences of non-compliance with an industry code may result in contravention of the Trade Practices Act 1974. This legal update examines recent developments in the following industry codes: Green Marketing Code; Franchising Code of Conduct; and Medicines Australia Code of Conduct [read more]. … [Read more...] about Green Marketing and Other Industry Codes – November 2009

Ownership of intellectual property is an important corporate governance issue for companies, universities, research institutes and businesses. As intellectual property represents one of the most valuable assets on the balance sheet of many organisations, adequate and effective processes and procedures for ensuring the organisation’s ownership of intellectual property on creation, protection and ongoing management are critical. This legal update … [Read more...] about Intellectual Property Update: Full Federal Court Confirms that Researchers Own their Inventions – October 2009